Barjeel Art Museum

As seen in the historic Heart of Sharjah, our concept comprises of multiple buildings and courtyards surrounded by a perimeter system made of stilts. These stilts mask neighboring structures and also allows for art to be safely displayed externally. The three building structures graduate from semi-private usage on the busier roadside, to the more open and public functions positioned on the quieter and more accessible smaller road.

The main feature building in the center is a modern interpretation of the classic Barjeel Wind Tower. The towers are orientated to capture cooling winds and also control the amount of natural light entering the internals of the gallery building. Built on a monolith scale, they will pierce over the surrounding stilts and become a beacon for modern art in the Middle East. Shapes extracted from the Heart of Sharjah and found within Emirati architecture inspire its form. Covered in a terracotta render, it pays homage to traditional Emirati crafts and also to the gritty textures found across the UAE.